Android One Launched By Google : Will It Make a Difference???

Google has finally launched its much anticipated low cost range of devices that run on a new platform named Android One. As it was explained previously at a press release, Android One is not actually entirely new platform that gives users a new experience, it can be said like it is the same old Android 4.4.4 KitKat, but the phones possess common specifications of hardware as set by Google. It can be more like a framework on which all the devices are designed, built and customised. All the devices give users stock android experience, with an optional custom apps from the manufacturers. Google has announced that brands like Micromax, Karbonn, Spice and other low cost manufacturers or more precisely OEMs whose phones mostly target the low-end range, are into these devices. And recently three of these devices were released, all of them in the price range between 6000-7000 INR. All the devices as told by Google possess almost the same specs like 4.5 inch IPS display with 480x800 pixel resolution, 5 MP autofocus rear shooter and a 2 MP front shooter, USB 2.0, Bluetooth 4.0, stock Android 4.4.4 with guaranteed updates rolled out directly by Google, with a speculation that these devices may get Android Lion (Android 5.0) update. While all these devices were currently offered by Snapdeal, Amazon and Flipkart, Google says that soon they will go into offline sale.

Although Google says that it aims to produce smart phones at an affordable price range, the move of a cheaper smart phones is pretty clever. According to surveys, it is likely that in India alone there are a billion users who are yet to come into smart phones. And when it comes to Indian Market, it is too much precious for any Mobile Vendor, as it has the highest number of mobile phone users according to another survey. It is obvious that one of the key factors while choosing a smartphone from the numerous vendors we have now, is the cost and other is the specs. A typical Indian customer would think like he looks for a phone that can have great specs but should fit in his pocket. And that's why recent phones like Moto G, Moto E, Redmi Mi3 and Redmi 1s went into such a demand that even the offering site Flipkart crashes when these phones get into for sale. That too among these phones Moto E and Redmi 1s were most lauded by the Indian Users as these phones offer the best being themselves constrained to less than 100$. And that's how any mobile vendor can boost his sales in India.

Now Google's Android One completely drags user's interest with its good specifications. It should be noted that in comparison with Redmi 1s, these Android One phones can lose their ground, but still one can have a better experience of Android with assured updates directly from Google, but that's not the case with Xiaomi. One thing that can worry a user is the phone's durability. Vendors like Micromax and Karbonn are well known for their feature phones in the low-cost segment, but will they be reliable to a smartphone user is what one can look for. And that too, the processors are from MediaTek which according to me can't be game changing when compared with the Snapdragon processor of Xiaomi or Moto E. So that will can be another concern from a smartphone user who is aware of the technical aspects as well. But One thing is sure, Android One has got some better aspects for the users to be offered. Interesting thing is that Google has announced that its Android One is getting expanded and new devices from Alcatel, Xolo, HTC and many other vendors are about to come. Added to this is the announcement that these devices can come with a Qualcomm Snapdragon processor. If in that case, then it will be a great advantage for Android One to excel in Indian Markets.

But the strategy Google is following to lure the billion users towards its Android ecosystem, is what the same happening with Microsoft through its Windows Phone devices. Even before Google has come up with its Android One platform and its partnership with the local OEMs to make cheaper devices, Microsoft has planned the same with another set of local mobile phone makers in indian markets to make cheaper Windows Phone 8 devices. Last month, Microsoft has launched two new devices with a price tag of less than 7000 from a local Indian Mobile Maker, in addition to its Lumia devices of Nokia. It was a strategic enough to tackle Android and to grow its market, but it does shows an impact on the share of Nokia in indian markets. Since Nokia is now a subsidiary of Microsoft it may not make a huge difference internally, but itself being a mobile vendor will give a tough competition from its own proprietary devices from another vendor. All Microsoft needs is to fill the gap between the feature phones and smartphones with its Windows Phone devices, but at the cost of Nokia's market share. Rival between these two tech giants has now come into entry level smartphone segment in indian markets, but the game changer will depend on the devices' appeal to the users.